O'Brien: $3.65M needed for schools

WORCESTER 
City Manager Michael V. O'Brien is recommending a $3.65 million loan order to fund building repairs to five public school buildings — Chandler Magnet, Dr. James A.Caradonio New Citizens Center, Jacob Hiatt Magnet, Lake View and May Street schools.

In a related matter, Mr. O'Brien has appointed an ad hoc committee to advise him on the construction of the Nelson Place school replacement project.

The committee, made up of city and public school officials as well as parents and neighbors, is intended to provide an additional community perspective on the construction and design of the new school.

The membership of the committee must be approved by the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

The $3.65 million loan order, which goes before the City Council Tuesday night, will fund the following work, as part of the Accelerated School Repair Program: Chandler Magnet, window and boiler replacement; Lake View, window replacement; New Citizens, window and boiler replacement; May Street, window replacement; and Jacob Hiatt, boiler replacement.

Mr. O'Brien said the loan order includes the city's 20 percent share of the total costs, which are nearly $10 million. He said the state, through the Massachusetts School Building Authority, will pay 80 percent of the costs.

The manager added that the loan order also includes scopes for which the state will not reimburse the city, such as environmental remediation work.

The loan order is part of the city's fiscal years 2013-1014 planned capital outlay.

Robert L. Moylan Jr., commissioner of public works and parks, said the MSBA will vote on Jan. 30 on which projects it will fund under the accelerated school repair program.

He said the city will advertise bids in early March for each approved project.

The commissioner said all the work at the selected schools will be done during the summer while school is out.

Because the scope of the work at Chandler Magnet is substantial, he added, it is possible that some of that work may need to be done in 2014.

“Final determination of the Chandler Magnet schedule will be made later and assuming it is selected and funded by MSBA,” Mr. Moylan said.

As for the Nelson Place School replacement project, Mr. Moylan said all required information has been submitted to MSBA. He said the agency is currently reviewing student enrollment information, both present and future projections.

He said it is expected that MSBA will approve the school replacement feasibility study by Jan.31.

If approved, he added, the city will begin the process of selecting a project manager and architect.

Meanwhile, Mr. O'Brien has appointed the following individuals to serve on the school building committee for Nelson Place: John Orrell, city purchasing director; School Committee member John Foley; School Superintendent Melinda Boone; James Bedard, School Department facilities director; Mr. Moylan and/or Paul Moosey, assistant commissioner of public works; Malachi Kelly, principal of Nelson Place School; and Marco Rodrigues, chief academic officer for the public schools.

Also, Thomas F. Zidelis, the city's chief financial officer; Anthony DiLuzio, a member of the community with engineering and architecture experience; District 1 City Councilor Tony Economou; Brian Allen, the chief financial officer for the public schools; and Mayor Joseph M. Petty.